An estimated 85 percent of the state's land is privately owned, leaving local sportsmen with limited areas to hunt. The Democratic senator also noted that the state's financially-strapped farmers are currently dealing with a growing deer population that is responsible for destroying up to $60 million a year in crops.

Schumer today pushed a bill that will protect the state's sporting industry, give upstate farmers additional funding, and control the state's growing deer population. The program, in the Senate version of the Farm Bill, would provide payments to states so that they can develop programs to encourage farmers and ranchers to volunteer to make their land accessible to the public for hunting, fishing, birding, and other forms of wildlife-based recreation. according to a news release from Schumer's office.

"This is a win-win plan for New York State's sportsmen and farmers, two groups that are key to the state's economy," said Senator Schumer. "Not only will it deliver funding to our hardworking farmers, it also keeps the swelling deer population under control so it no longer decimates million of dollars in crops every year. This program will also open up more of our land for hunting, birding, and fishing to help New York's wildlife-based recreation continue to grow."

Each year, more than 82 million Americans and their families engage in some form of wildlife-based recreation - hunting, fishing, birding, and so on. In New York State, hunting is prevalent in every region and contributes millions to the state's economy. Between 2006 and 2007, 1,775,887 fishing and hunting licenses were sold to New Yorkers.

However, because as much as 85 percent of New York's land is privately owned, the state's sportsmen are increasingly struggling to find hunting land. It is estimated that as much as 61 percent of New York's private lands are posted, meaning hunting is not permitted on them. The state can purchase land for recreational purposes such as sporting, but this is a lengthy and expensive process.

Schumer today argued that creating incentives for opening private lands would not only assist sportsmen and deliver funding to farmers, it would also allow hunters to control the state's huge white-tailed deer population--as well as other nuisance animals--and protect the agricultural industry that is so vital to the upstate New York economy.

New York State farmers are especially susceptible to crop damage by the growing deer population across the state, particularly the whitetail populations. In an extensive statewide study, a Cornell University Agricultural Study reported that deer damage is the leading type of wildlife damage to crops in the state, and in 2002 accounted for the destruction of $58.8 million in crops. The report found that growers of tree fruits, vegetables, and nursery products estimated deer as causing 40 to 47 percent of all wildlife damage. Growers and producers of grain crops, alfalfa, berries, and maple syrup estimated that deer cause 31 to 38 percent of total wildlife damage.

Most farmers regard the use of hunting as the most effective way to control the deer population and thus protect their crops. In fact, only a minority of New York's farmers use alternative, specific deer control methods (i.e. deer repellents, netting, fencing, et al) and a majority of farmers who do use them find them to be generally ineffective at protecting their crop. By contrast, 30 percent of farmers said that encouraging hunters with regular deer managements permits was a generally effective solution, and another 52 percent responded that it was a somewhat effective solution. In 2002, responding farmers spent a mean of $144 statewide on deer damage preventative measures. The mean amount of farmer-estimated deer damage statewide for respondents was $4,113.

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed data regarding crop decimation in upstate New York on the part of nuisance species, particularly whitetail deer, who have long pestered farmers and dramatically reduced their annual profits.

Below is specific data outlining the scope of the white-tailed deer problem and its effect on New York-grown crops:

In the North Country (St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Franklin, Lewis, Clinton, Essex, Warren and Hamilton counties) 3,337 farms saw $5,113,014 in damages, a mean of $3,240 or $12 per acre. Some of the worst hit crops in this region include alfalfa--which saw a mean damage of $1,460--and grain crops in the western part of the region, which saw a mean damage of $4,600. 58% of farmers report that they believe the deer problem is on the rise.

In Central New York (Herkimer, Otsego, Oneida, Madison, Chenango, Oswego, Onondaga, Cortland and Cayuga counties) 5,291 farms saw $7,407,274 in damages, a mean of $3,198 or $16 per acre. Some of the worst hit crops in this region include nursery products, which saw a mean damage of $6,517. 57 percent of farmers report that they believe the deer problem is on the rise.

In the Capital Region, (Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie, Saratoga, Schenectady, Albany, Washington and Rensselaer counties) 2,853 farms saw $2,521,974 in damages, a mean of $2,358 or $12 per acre. Some of the worst hit crops in this region include tree fruits, which saw a mean damage of $2,573. 43% of farmers report that they believe the deer problem is on the rise.

In Hudson Valley (Delaware, Greene, Columbia, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties) 2,589 farms saw $14,588,295 in damages, a mean of $11,283 or $68 per acre. Some of the worst hit crops in this region include tree fruits, which saw a mean damage of $46,963. 59 percent of farmers report that they believe the deer problem is on the rise.

In the Southern Tier (Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben, Schuyler, Tompkins, Chemung Tioga and Broome counties) 5,385 farms saw $7,517,606 in damages, a mean of $3,204 or $18 per acre. Some of the worst hit crops in this region include grapes, which saw a mean damage of $3,680. 54 percent of farmers report that they believe the deer problem is on the rise.

In Western New York (Niagara, Erie, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Yates and Seneca counties) 5,633 farms saw $19,892,971 in damages, a mean of $7,512 or $23 per acre. Some of the worst hit crops in this region include tree fruits, which saw a mean damage of $5,495. 56 percent of farmers report that they believe the deer problem is on the rise.

Schumer today said that the benefit of this program would be two-fold: farmers and other private land owners will have a new source of income, and sportsmen will have more land on which to pursue their outdoor activities. In addition, the local economy will benefit from the increased activity.

The law establishes a voluntary public access program under which States and tribal governments may apply for grants to encourage owners and operators of privately-held farm, ranch, and forest land to voluntarily make that land available for access by the public for wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting or fishing under programs administered by the States and tribal governments.

Schumer will also personally send a letter to the appropriate joint House-Senate Conference committee to ensure that the funding currently incorporated in the Senate version of the Farm Bill for the program stays in the final bill that goes to the President for his signature.

"Hunting, fishing, and birding are not just recreational activities - they're vital parts of the economy," Schumer said. "This plan will help them flourish and that will be good not only for those who participate but for the entire region."